We do declare and establish this constitution for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body shall be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the principles of The Holy Bible preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith.

This body shall be known as Life In Jesus Apostolic Christian Ministries of Orange County, North Carolina.

Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a Non-Denominational Apostolic Church in accordance with the Word of God, the articles of faith, the covenant and the constitution of this local church, promoting the worship of our God, edifying believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical discipline, seeking to win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the gospel, carrying on a vigorous missionary program around the world, establishing other churches, defending the faith, and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.

We believe that the Holy Bible (being the oldest Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments) was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God as its author, salvation for its end and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.

Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; Ps. 68:11; Luke 21:33; John 5:7,39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2: Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21

We believe there is one and only ONE living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and is personified in Jesus Christ. As stated in Colossians 2:⁸Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Gen. 1:1, 26; Deut. 6:4; 32:4; Jerm. 10:10; 1 John 5:7; 1 Cor. 12:4-6

God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the stream of human history according to the purpose of His grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.

Gen. 1:1; 2:7; Ex. 3:14; 6:2-3; Lev. 22:2; Deut. 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chron. 29:10; Mark 1:7; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7; Eph. 4:6; 1 Cor. 8:6

Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is the living WORD made flesh and by Him all things were created in the Father's will. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provisions for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, and true God. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

Gen. 18:1; Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; John 1:1-18,29; Acts 1:9; Rom. 1:3-4 Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 1:20; Col.1:13-22; Titus 2:13-14; Rev. 1: 13-16; 5:9-14

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism and service. Believers receive the gifts of the Spirit which enables them to live a spirit filled holy life which is pleasing to God.

Gen. 1:2; Judg. 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalm 51:11; Isa. 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matt. 1:18; Mark 1:10, 12: Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; Rom. 8:9-11, 14-16; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb.9:8; 1 John 4:13; Rev. 1:19; 22:17

Man was created by God, in His image, and is the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and by his free choice man disobeyed God and brought sin into the universe. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God.

Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5, 7 18-22; Psalm 8:3-6; 32:1-3; Isa. 6:5; Jer. 17:5; Matt. 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Rom. 1:19-32

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. The believer must make the continual choice of faith  to follow Christ as Lord and Savior. As the Scriptures clearly point out, a believer can turn away from the truth and thereby give up his or her salvation. 

John 3:16; Rom 1:16

Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:3

Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality of Him as Savior and Lord.

Luke 13:3; Eph. 2:8

Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness for all sinners who truly repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.

Rom. 5:1

Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him.

1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Peter 1:2

Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

Phil. 2:2

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is a glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.

All true believers are called to endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, should never fall away from the state of grace, but should persevere to the end. Believers will fall into sin through neglect and temptations, etc., yet they will not continue to stay in sin.

It is possible for those who are saved to fall away by their own choice. Christ warns about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. If we freely turn away from the faith and shared in the gifts of the Holy Spirit it is impossible to be brought back to repentance. It is the unpardonable sin.

Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-8; Matt. 12:31-32; 16:18-19; 21:28-45; John. 8:31; Acts. 14:21-22; 20:32; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:9-10; 8:28-39; Heb. 6:1-6; 1 John. 1:5-10; 2:1-17

A New Testament Apostolic church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation members are equally responsible.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all ages.

Col. 1:18; Acts 2:41; Rev. 5:9

Christian baptism is the full immersion of a believer in water in the name of  Jesus Christ . In Matthew 28, Jesus referred to Baptism in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a model (being baptized into the Kingdom) and not a verbal formula. Every example in the New Testament affirms that baptism was in the Name of Jesus Christ. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to His faith in the final resurrection of the dead.

***Unless, the believer has already received the Holy Spirit, After baptism, the believer should receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands  by the pastor and/or elders as pointed out in the Book of Acts. This ceremony should always accompany baptism.***

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the body of Christ, through partaking of unleavened bread and wine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer (Jesus Christ) and anticipate His coming back for the church.

Matt. 3:16; 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts. 2:38 

The seventh day of the week (Modern day Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) is the Sabbath day. God rested on the seventh day from all his work. Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16) and is "Lord of the Sabbath. (Matt 12:8)"  Paul and the Early Church kept the Sabbath (Acts 13:44, Acts 16:13). The Sabbath will be kept in the Kingdom of Heaven to come (Hebrews 4:9, Isaiah 66:23). The Sabbath was actually replaced by Sunday (the 1st day of the week) as the so-called Christian day of worship under Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. It was never replaced by God. God expects us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Both Jews and Gentiles worshiped on the Sabbath day (Acts 18:4). As Christians we should live everyday for the Lord and can worship on any day, but the Sabbath is  special to God and therefore, we should remember it in the New Testament concept as taught by Jesus and the apostles.

Gen. 2:2; Ex. 20:8; Acts 13:42-44

J. Resurrection Sunday (Passover)

Resurrection Sunday is the proper term to celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The term "Easter" is not of Christian origin and its observance is not commanded in the Bible. It is of pagan origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. It is also another form of Eostre, (Anglo-Saxon) Teutonic goddess of light and spring. At the time of the vernal equinox, sacrifices were offered in her honor. The KJV of the Bible uses the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4 but it is a mistranslation of the Greek word "pascha" which means "Passover." The resurrection of Jesus Christ should be celebrated in the Biblical sense within the context of Passover. The Last Supper was on Passover and Jesus commended the apostles to keep the Passover in remembrance of Him. (Luke 22:14-20). Paul also tells us to keep the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread in light of Christ's sacrifice (I Corinthians 5:6-8) 

The Kingdom of God includes both His sovereignty over the universe and His particular Kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. It represents a spiritual redemptive plan for the church. Particularly, the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. We can enter by the realm of its blessings when Christ returns. Therefore, Christians ought always to pray and labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth as we await the full consummation, which is the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the age.

Gen. 1:1; Isa. 9:6-7; Matt. 25:31-46; John 3:3; Rom. 5:17; Heb. 11:10, 16; Rev. 1:6,9; 5:10

The Word of God teaches a Pre-Tribulation rapture of the church. Jesus Christ Himself will descend with a shout from His Father's house, where He is preparing a place for us. He will resurrect those who have fallen asleep in Him (the dead in Christ will rise first) then we which are alive and remain shall be changed (made incorruptible by having our bodies made "immortal"). All this takes place in the twinkling of an eye. We will hear the voice of the archangel and also hear the trumpet call of God which will be His last trumpet for the church (this is not to be confused with the seventh trumpet of Rev. 11:15). Then we shall be caught up (raptured) together with them in the clouds to meet Jesus Christ in the air as He takes us to the Father's house and thus we shall always be with the Lord. The church will not have to suffer through the seven (7) years of Tribulation as this will be the Lord pouring out wrath on an unbelieving world. Christians are not appointed to the  wrath of God .

John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; I Thes. 4:14-17; Rev. 4:1-2

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring this age to an end according to His promise. At The Second Coming,  Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell. The righteous, in their resurrected and glorified, bodies will receive their reward and will dwell with the Lord. This will be the second resurrection as the first resurrection will be the saints, dead and alive, at the Rapture.

Isa. 2:4; Matt. 16:27; 18:8-9; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:40, 48; Acts 1:11; Rom. 14:10; Rev. 1:18; 3:11

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

The term 'the lost" refers to all who are without Christ as Lord and Savior.  Evangelism and outreach should extend to all such groups. We believe that Jesus Christ is for all people. The Jew first and also to the Gentile. Therefore, we support evangelism of the Jewish people as well as to Muslims, Roman Catholics,watered down Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, new agers, so-called Christian cults and any other group, person or organization that does not know the Jesus Christ of the Bible.

Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-6; Isa. 6:1-8; Matt. 9:37-38; 10:5-15; Luke 10:1-18; John 14:11-12; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 3:1-11; Heb. 2:1-3; Rev. 22:17

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtor-ship  to other Christians and to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the unsaved world. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others.

Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 8:18; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 6:1-4; Luke 12:16-21; Acts 5:1-11; Rom. 6:6-22; Cor. 8:9; Phil. 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1: 18-19

God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and He has left it free from doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate though the state should not prevent free exercise of the Christian faith as it does. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 6:6-7, 24; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Gal. 5:1, 13; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its worship, ordinances, discipline, and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

The government of this church shall be congregational in nature and shall be vested in the membership. Guidelines from Robert's Rules of Order will be used as the procedures for all business meetings of the church.

A church conference shall be held  once a month  to conduct regular business pertaining to the church body.

Called meetings may be held to conduct the business of the church whenever it is deemed necessary by the Pastor and/or the Church Council.

During this conference, the Church Council will be asked to report and/or make recommendations.

The Pastor of the church shall preside as church moderator

The Church Council or designee shall keep minutes of each business meeting concerning what actions were taken by the church.

The church fiscal year shall begin January 1 and end December 31.

The membership of this church shall consist of such persons who have confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, who have been accepted by vote of the church, and have been baptized by full immersion in the name of Jesus Christ and have received the Holy Spirit through the Laying on of hands by the pastor and or elders, enter into its covenant.

1. This church shall be composed of members who profess to be saved by grace, through faith, and who have been baptized following their confession of faith in Christ, by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ  and have received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.

1. Members are expected to be faithful in all duties essential to the Christian life; to give regularly as the Lord leads, and attend regularly the services provided.

2. Only members shall be entitled to hold an office and vote in the transactions of the church.

3. Only members shall serve as  teachers in the church, Bible Study groups, or other groups.

4. The church shall conduct regularly, or periodically, according to need, classes for new members. These shall be taught by the Pastor or some other competent leader. This should include instructions on such things as the ordinances, church government, responsibilities of church members, stewardship, prayer, Bible reading, witnessing for Christ and basic doctrines (including separation to God from worldliness and apostasy).

5. It shall be deemed proper to receive members during the regular business meeting of the church.

6. If disciplinary action is involved, it shall require a special business meeting of the church.

1. Dismissal/Termination shall be by death or church discipline.

2. After due notice and opportunity for a hearing, and every possible effort to make such action unnecessary, the church shall upon majority vote to remove the membership of a person  due to intentional and unrepentant violations against God's Word and Its teachings. (Any person whose membership has been terminated for any reasons, can be restored to active membership upon satisfactory evidence is given of spiritual repentance and confession).

Whenever a vacancy occurs, a Pastor shall be called by the church to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the Pastor or the church. The Church Council will immediately search for a new Pastor, which shall be approved by the church. The call of the Pastor shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose after at least one (1) week's notice has been given the membership. The Church Council shall bring only one (1) name at a time for consideration of the church, and no nomination shall be made except that of the Church Council. Election shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote. In the absence of a two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Church Council will be instructed to seek out another minister and the meeting which the vote was taken shall be adjourned without debate. In the event that the church shall need an Interim Pastor, he shall be recommended by the Church Council and called by the church with an affirmative vote.

The Pastor shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the church; he shall be ex-officio member of The Church Council, all organizations, departments and committees; he shall conduct religious services as stated on special occasions; administer the ordinances, minister to the spiritual needs of the members of the church and community; he shall perform other duties that usually pertain to that office; he shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church.  It shall be his special responsibility to seek to win the lost to Christ, to minister to the spiritual needs of the members of his congregation, and through prayer and study to render effective preaching and pastoral ministries. He shall be the administrative head of the church and shall arrange and approve all absences and vacations of all church employees.

Benefits shall be stated at the time of employment as agreed upon by the church

4. Staff

Other ministers may be called and employed as the church determines the need. A job description shall be written when the need is determined. Staff shall be recommended to the church by the Church Council and the Pastor. Election will be by an affirmative vote of those present at the business meeting.

The Church Council shall at all times regard themselves as servants of the church; with the Pastor and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are responsible for the oversight of all church matters pertaining to its work and progress, and including oversight of the discipline of the church and establishment and maintenance of spiritual and fraternal relations with all members of the church. They shall assist the Pastor  in the observance of the ordinances. They shall conduct regular meetings and when the need arises they can form committees as are necessary in discharging of their duties. Other responsibilities include, employment, salaries, benefits, and job descriptions of the staff, etc.

1. The Pastor and The Church Council shall have the responsibility of recruiting, interviewing, and recommending staff members and any other employees of the church.

2. In order to be consistent in employment practices, the Pastor and The Church Council shall use a written application form and means whereby references can be checked.

3. The Pastor and The Church Council should assist with orientation of new staff members.

1. To aid in salary recommendations, the Pastor and The Church Council shall formulate and maintain a written job description of each position on the church staff describing the major duties assigned to that position.

2. In conjunction with the Budget and Finance Committee (once this committee is formed), the Pastor and The Church Council shall design a program of salary administration and make annual recommendations to the church.

1. Employee benefits shall be recommended by the Pastor and The Church Council. Benefits include such things as retirement, pension plan, vacation, holidays, other time off, hospitalization/life insurance, etc, and shall be clearly stated.

The number of The Church Council shall never be less than  two (2). Subject to that limitation, the number of The Church Council as required by these By-Laws, shall be the number thereof who at this time are The Church Council in accordance with these By-Laws as shown by the record of the church being three (3) in number. The total number of The Church Council shall be increased by the Board of The Church Council based on the additions to the church membership.

The term of office shall be three (3) years, with one third (1/3) of The Church Council being elected each year. After serving a term of three (3) years, anyone on The Church Council shall be eligible for re-election.

A member of the church in good standing shall be eligible to serve on The Church Council.

a. Termination - The term of office of anyone on The Church Council shall terminate upon the following:

(1) the completion of his/her term of office,

(2) his/her death,

(3) his/her resignation,

(4) termination of his/her membership in the church,

(5) his/her removal from such office by the church.

b. Un-excused Absences - The church may accept the resignation of anyone on The Church Council and, upon recommendation of the existing Board of The Church Council, drop from its membership anyone on The Church Council who is absent during the previous calendar year for more than five (5) regular meetings without excuses deemed valid.

This Constitution will be in effect when a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members, present at a business meeting scheduled for the purpose of adoption, vote to adopt same. It may be amended, altered and repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members at any regular business meeting provided that such amendment, alteration or repeal has been given to the Church Council in writing and the church membership notified at least one (1) week prior to the vote.

Should this church body go out of existence at some point in the future, the members of the church at the time of dissolution must make decisions about the distribution of assets. The church's assets may go to any organization but such organization must be designated (according to IRS regulations) as a 501 (C) (3) organization.